Linux Administration Report: Ubuntu Installation and Process Analysis

This report details a student's practical experience with Linux administration, specifically focusing on the Ubuntu 16.04 operating system. The report begins with the selection of Ubuntu as the chosen distribution, justifying its popularity and features. It then outlines the installation process using a virtual machine, detailing the steps taken within VirtualBox, including the creation of a virtual hard disk and the selection of the Ubuntu ISO image. The report also addresses potential problems encountered during installation, like the need for prior Linux knowledge, and provides a timeline of the installation process. Furthermore, the report delves into Linux computer processes, explaining running processes, the init process, kthreadd, and the watchdog function. Shell scripts are also discussed, with examples of commands like 'uptime', 'ss –s' for current connections, 'last' for login details, and 'ps -eo' for CPU consumption. The report concludes with a list of references.

Running head: LINUX ADMINISTRATION
Linux Administration
Name of the Student
Name of the University

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Table of Contents
Linux Operating System..................................................................................................................3
Selected Linux Distribution.................................................................................................3
Choosing the method of Linux installation.........................................................................4
Ubuntu Installation..............................................................................................................4
Problems during Installation..............................................................................................17
Time spend in this process.................................................................................................17
Linux Computer Processes............................................................................................................18
Running Processes.............................................................................................................18
Init Process.............................................................................................................18
Kthreadd................................................................................................................19
Watchdog...............................................................................................................19
Shell Scripts...................................................................................................................................20
Uptime...............................................................................................................................20
Current Connections..........................................................................................................20
Last Login..........................................................................................................................21
CPU Consumption Apps....................................................................................................22
References......................................................................................................................................23

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Linux Operating System
The Linux open source working framework, or Linux OS, is a uninhibitedly distributable,
cross-stage working framework in light of Unix that can be introduced on PCs, portable
workstations, netbooks, versatile and tablet gadgets, computer game consoles, servers,
supercomputers and that's just the beginning.
The Linux OS is much of the time bundled as a Linux dispersion for both desktop and
server utilise, and incorporates the Linux bit and also supporting apparatuses and libraries. Well
known Linux OS distributions include Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat and openSUSE.
Selected Linux Distribution
In this assignment, the Linux distribution that is used is the Ubuntu version 16.04.3.
Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution occupying more that 80% devices that runs on the
Linux OS. Serving for eight year Ubuntu contributed much in the field of Linux development
coming with smart modern and attractive user interface where the other distribution of Linux still
lacks in the graphics quality.
Being an open source operating system it offers customisability that no other OS can
provide. On the other hand, it also provides the system to run the operating system live without
installing the full OS in the hard drive, which helps to take a look of the operating system
without any hassles. Ubuntu also provides some build it apps and add on that are unique to
Ubuntu and no other Linux distribution provides that. These are some of the reasons for choosing
Ubuntu OS among all the distributions of the Linux.

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Choosing the method of Linux installation
Ubuntu OS 16.04.3 can be installed on the devices in various ways. Those are:
 Fresh Installation: Clearing the whole memory and installing the OS.
 Dual Boot Installation: Installing the OS alongside another OS to use the same
device to run the Operating Systems alternatively.
 Virtual Image Installation: The OS can also be installed using third party software
to create a virtual machine inside the current OS that will run the OS inside the
current OS.
Among the above-mentioned techniques we used the virtual image installation technique
for installation of the Ubuntu OS.
Ubuntu Installation
The operating system currently in-use is Microsoft Windows, therefore we required to
install virtualBox software from Oracle to create a virtual machine inside our OS where we will
install the Linux OS.
First Downloaded VirtualBox from Oracle’s website and after installation we opened the
application.

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Create a virtual machine following the steps:
Then allocate RAM size for that virtual machine

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Create a virtual hard disk for the virtual machine
Select virtual hard disk type

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Allocate hard disk space fixed in size or dynamically
Allocate virtual hard disk size

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Virtual Machine is ready now:
Now go to storage settings of the virtual machine

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Click on the “+” sign right to the Controller IDE
The below dialog box will be opened
Now select the Ubuntu Distribution Disk Image file (*.iso) that is downloaded from the
official site of Ubuntu

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The image file is now added as an optical drive to the virtual machine

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Now save the settings and run the virtual machine that will boot using the disk image file
we selected.
After booting the below screen will appear there select Install Ubuntu

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In the meanwhile a logo of ubuntu will appear on the screen
Another welcome screen will appear to select the language you are familiar with

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Next screen will ask you whether to install the latest updates of the OS or not.
Next screen will ask for your preferred mode of installation.

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The next screen will warn you that a fresh installation will remove all the existing files in
the drive.
Now select your preferred time zone. In this case Sydney time.

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Now select the your keyboard’s layout as different regions use different types of
keyboards.
Now create the administrator’s account in the OS. Admin’s name: Harpreet Singh and
computer’s name harpreet following the password that will be used for all admin purposes.

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Next screen will start the installation process
After installation completes a screen will appear showing to restart the system

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After the OS restarts the homepage will appear as the following

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Problems during Installation
Person having less knowledge about linux will surely face difficulties during linux
installation. Installation of Linux OS is different at some extent in comparison to installation of
Windows. Linux OS uses different file type systems than the Windows and for Microsoft users
they may face challenges understanding the different terms of the Linux. The Grab boot loader
also requires to be installed separately for running the user interface of the system.
Time spend in this process
 Disk image required 30 minutes for downloading the 1.5 GB file.
 Installation of the VirtualBox took 5 minutes.
 Creation of a virtual machine took 5 minutes.
 Installation of Ubuntu took 45 minutes.
 Taking the screenshots throughout the process took total 10 minutes
 Creating the report took 2 hours.

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Linux Computer Processes
Running Processes
To see the processes running on the Linux device. Go to the terminal or command line
and key in the command “ps aux” followed by an enter to list the processes currently running on
the device.
Init Process
The bit, once it is stacked, finds init in sbin and executes it. At the point when init begins,
it turns into the parent or grandparent of the greater part of the procedures that start up
consequently on your Linux framework. The principal thing init does is perusing its statement
record etc/inittab. This teaches init to examine an underlying design content for the earth, which
sets the way, begins swapping, checks the record frameworks, et cetera. Essentially, this
progression deals with everything that your framework needs to be done at framework

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introduction: setting the clock, instating serial ports et cetera. At that point init keeps on perusing
the/and so on/inittab record, which depicts how the framework ought to be set up in each run
level and sets the default run level. A run level is an arrangement of procedures. All UNIX-like
frameworks can keep running in various process arrangements, for example, the single client
mode, which is alluded to as run level 1 or run level S (or s). In this mode, just the framework
director can associate with the framework. It is utilised to perform support undertakings without
dangers of harming the framework or client information. Normally, in this setup, we don't have
to offer client administrations, so they will all be crippled. Another run level is the reboot run
level, or run level 6, which close down every single running administration as indicated by the
proper methodology and after that restarts the framework.
Kthreadd
Kthreadd is a daemon string that keeps running in portion space. The reason is that part
needs to a few times make lines, however, making a line in a piece is extremely precarious.
Subsequently, kthreadd is a string that section uses to generate more current lines if required
from that point. This string can get to user space address space additionally, however, ought not
to do as such. It oversaw by piece so one need not stress.
Watchdog
In a physical server, a watchdog is a straightforward bit of equipment which should
restart the server if it hangs without requiring any manager intercession. Watchdog is used to
come as partitioned cards. However these days the element is found in numerous chipsets,
regularly coordinated with other valuable bits of server/remote get to usefulness like remote
serial port, wake-on-LAN, equipment occasion checking and so forth.

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Shell Scripts
Uptime
To check for the uptime, simply enter the keyword “uptime” in the terminal.
[root@harpreet]$ uptime
The output will be:
09:11:01 up 56 min, 2 users, load average: 0.28, 0.45, 0.38
Current Connections
To check the number of connections key in the following command
[root@harpreet]$ ss –s
The output will be:
Total: 59 (kernel 76)
TCP: 143 (estab 26, closed 1099, orphaned 1, synrecv 0, timewait 1098/0), ports 774
Transport Total IP IPv6
* 76 - -
RAW 0 0 0
UDP 27 13 14
TCP 4 28 6
INET 61 31 20
FRAG 0 0 0

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Last Login
To check the last login details enter the following command
[root@harpreet]$ last
Output will be:
root pts/0 10.1.6.120 Mon Jan 27 06:26 still logged in
root pts/0 10.1.6.120 Mon Jan 27 03:37 - 06:26 (02:48)
root pts/0 10.1.6.120 Sun Jan 26 02:47 - 09:28 (06:40)
root pts/4 10.1.6.120 Sat Jan 25 11:02 - 11:02 (00:00)
harpreet pts/0 10.1.6.120 Sat Jan 25 10:15 - 13:12 (02:56)
root pts/4 10.1.6.120 Sat Jan 25 06:01 - 06:32 (00:31)
root pts/0 10.1.6.120 Sat Jan 25 03:08 - 09:04 (05:55)
root pts/4 10.1.6.120 Sat Jan 25 01:06 - 03:18 (02:11)
harpreet pts/0 10.1.6.120 Fri Jan 24 23:59 - 02:11 (02:12)
root pts/0 10.1.6.120 Fri Jan 24 05:30 - 08:39 (03:08)
root pts/0 10.1.6.120 Thu Jan 23 04:22 - 05:41 (01:19)

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CPU Consumption Apps
To check for the apps that are utilising most of the CPU resources enter the following
command.
[root@harpreet]$ ps -eo pid,ppid,cmd,%mem,%cpu --sort=-%mem | head
The output will be:
PID PPID CMD %MEM %CPU
2591 2113 /usr/lib/firefox/firefox 7.3 43.5
2549 2520 /usr/lib/virtualbox/Virtual 3.4 8.2
2288 1 /home/gacanepa/.dropbox-dis 1.4 0.3
1889 1543 c:\TeamViewer\TeamViewer.ex 1.0 0.2
2113 1801 /usr/bin/cinnamon 0.9 3.5
2254 2252 python /usr/bin/linuxmint/m 0.3 0.0
2245 1801 nautilus -n 0.3 0.1
1645 1595 /usr/bin/X :0 -audit 0 -aut 0.3 2.5

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References
Banfield, J., Germaine, N., & Gerard, M. (2016). Ubuntu Linux: Learn administration,
networking, and development skills with the# 1 Linux distribution!.
Rabah, K. (2016). Mastering Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Server Installation and Administration: Training
Manual Covering Application Servers Apache Tomcat 9, JBoss-eap 6, GlassFish 4,
Eclipse IDE, and Backtrack 5 Pentest.